Second meningococcal case in Tasmania

A second case of meningococcal in Tasmania has been confirmed, but authorities do not believe it is linked to the death of a teenager.

A young man is being treated for meningococcal at Royal Hobart Hospital, days after a teenage girl died from the infection in what authorities believe is an unrelated case.

The 20-year-old man was confirmed to have meningococcal on Saturday, Deputy Director of Population Health Services Scott McKeown said in a statement on Sunday.

"Population Health Services provided advice to the man's close contacts last night and administered antibiotics," he said.

"This will continue today, with social and work contacts being issued with information about meningococcal disease."

A 16-year-old Hobart girl died on Thursday from the infection and antibiotics have been given to people in close contact with her too.

"We do not believe this case is linked to that of a 16 year-old who sadly died last week with meningococcal disease," Dr McKeown said.

"This is the second case of meningococcal disease to occur in Tasmania this year. Typically, there is an average of four or five cases in the state every year."

Symptoms of meningococcal can include fever, severe muscle aches and pains, headache, feeling unusually unwell, confused or drowsy, and late in the illness a rash may occur.

A person with meningococcal disease can deteriorate rapidly and anyone suspected of having it should seek emergency medical treatment immediately.


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Published 15 July 2018 2:10pm
Source: AAP


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